Merkel town, Texas Demographics & Population 2026

Population Overview

Merkel town is a small community located in Texas. The total population is 2,630. It ranks as the 629th most populous out of 1,800 cities and towns in Texas.

Age Demographics

The median age in Merkel town is 36.2 years. This is 2% higher than the state median of 35.5 years. With 29.8% of the population under 18, Merkel town has a notably young demographic profile, suggesting a family-oriented community.

Economy, Income & Housing

The median household income in Merkel town is $62,368. This is 18% lower than the state median of $76,292. Compared to the national median of $78,538, household income here is 21% lower. The poverty rate stands at 14.5%. This is 5% higher than the state poverty rate of 13.8%. The unemployment rate is 1.9%. This is 63% lower than the state rate of 5.1%. The median home value is $99,000. Housing costs are 62% lower than the state median of $260,400. With a home-value-to-income ratio of just 1.6x, Merkel town is one of the most affordable housing markets in the area. 77.3% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 24% higher than the state average of 62.6%.

Race & Ethnicity

The largest racial or ethnic group in Merkel town is White (non-Hispanic), making up 74.2% of the population. Hispanic or Latino residents account for 18.7%. The White (non-Hispanic) population is significantly higher than the state average (74.2% vs 39.9%). The Black or African American population (2.0%) is well below the state average of 11.9%. The Hispanic or Latino population (18.7%) is well below the state average of 39.5%. The Asian population (0.1%) is well below the state average of 5.3%.

Education

12.6% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 62% lower than the state rate of 33.1%. Nationally, 35.0% of adults hold at least a bachelor's degree. The high school graduation rate (or equivalent) is 92.2%.

Data Sources & Methodology

All demographic data for Merkel town, Texas is sourced from the U.S. Census Bureau's American Community Survey (ACS) 5-Year Estimates (2019-2023). The ACS collects data from approximately 3.5 million households annually, providing reliable estimates for communities of all sizes. Comparisons are made against Texas state averages and national averages calculated from the same dataset. Rankings reflect the city's position among all 1,800 Census-designated places in Texas. For official data, visit data.census.gov.